'Halo' Developer 343 Industries Rebrands to Halo Studios

The future of Halo is becoming clearer after major announcements made during the Halo World Championships. 343 Industries is rebranding to Halo Studios and is set to develop multiple new games. A significant shift includes moving all future projects to Unreal Engine, stepping away from the previously used Slipspace Engine.

These changes were highlighted in a seven-minute video before the championship's grand finals, introducing Project Foundry—a tech demo showcasing a Halo game built on Unreal Engine. While still experimental, Project Foundry hints at a fresh direction for Xbox's flagship franchise, particularly after the difficulties faced with Halo Infinite’s development.

Art director Chris Matthews noted that some components of the Slipspace Engine are nearly 25 years old, which hampered progress during Halo Infinite’s creation. He emphasized the advantages of Unreal Engine, which offers modern tools and features that would have taken considerable time to replicate.

Reports earlier in 2023 indicated a reset for the Halo series amid studio changes, allowing developers to focus on new game concepts. Project Foundry represents this renewed effort, marking a significant pivot for the franchise.

Now led by Pierre Hintze and Elizabeth Van Wyck, Halo Studios is working on several new titles. This leadership transition follows the departures of key figures like Bonnie Ross and Joseph Staten. Committed to high-quality experiences, Halo Studios promises that new projects will be “ready when they’re ready.”